Facebook

Non-governmental Gender Organisations' Coordinating Council says criminals that defiled and beat up the 13-year-old girl of Lusaka's Garden House area should not go unpunished.

Speaking after visiting the girl who is still receiving treatment at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) this afternoon, Non-governmental Gender Organisations' Coordinating Council (NGOCC) Program Manager Chilufya Siwale described the girl's condition as unfortunate.

"This is very sad. The people who did this to her should not go unpunished. They just have to face the law. The police should ensure that the criminals are brought to book because this is very bad. They have to be dealt with," Ms Siwale said.

And Ms Siwale who was accompanied by some NGOCC member organisations (MOs) told the girl's family that her organisation was concerned about their child's condition.

"We are here because as NGOCC, we are concerned. What happened to the young girl is very sad. We are here for you and you should know that you are not alone in this," said Ms Siwale.

The 13-year-old girl was defiled and brutally beaten by unknown criminals.

Ms Siwale with NGOCC member organisations after visiting the girl at UTH ... See more

THE ZAMBIAN NATIONAL MEN’S NETWORK CALLS FOR CASTRATION OF RAPISTS AND DEFILERS

The defilement of two girls aged 13 in Lusaka in separate incidents is a tip of the ice berg regarding the extent to which this violent crime against girls has reached in the country and this cause for change of legislation in dealing with this crime against innocent girls and women as the lives of the two girls have been severely ruined by the irresponsible men.

As an organization that works with men and boys to fight SGBV, we strongly feel that castration is the only solution to stop sexual violence against innocent girls. We are enraged that the country is being robbed of potential women leaders who have made meaningful contribution to their communities and the country as a whole.

In the first incident, a girl of Mtendere compound was repeatedly defiled and impregnated by her step father who is on the run, while in the second incident a girl of Lusaka’s Garden House was defiled and brutally beaten by unknown criminals and is now admitted in the University Teaching Hospital-UTH-. This is a disturbing reminder that the country cannot continue doing business as usual of sending defilers to long jail sentences as this has not deterred would be offenders from committing sexual violence on women and girls, but castration should be considered as a lasting solution.

We therefore call for legislation to allow for castration of defilers and rapists as this will be permanent and ex-convicts will never engage in the crime again even after serving their long term jail sentences. The Zambian National Men’s Networks feels that it is high time perpetrators are castrated as a deterrent measure as sexual violence inflicts pain including death on the victims and severe stress on their families.

ZNMN urges Parliament to enact a piece of legislation to castrate rapists and defilers as they are a danger to the community. Recent statistics issued by the Zambia police service has recorded an increase in the numbers of defilement cases in the third quarter of 2018 standing at 6,114 compared to 5,096 reported in 2017. Out of the 2018 statistics 664 cases were defilement and Lusaka province recorded the highest number of 320 cases simply meaning the future of these 320 girls has been ruined as some of them could have been infected with sexually transmitted infections-STIs.

Furthermore, behind the 320 defiled girls in Lusaka alone, there are 320 irresponsible men who could still be on rampage preying on many other innocent girls. The sad reality is that there are 320 mothers or guardians who are traumatized as a result of their daughters being defiled and struggling to deal with the unforeseen medical bills which could have come as a result of the trauma associated with defilement.

Many organizations have carried out sensitization activities to create awareness about the dangers of sexual violence but perpetrators have continued defiling children. This means that there is a very serious problem in the country which needs a radical approach to address the scourge which as already highlighted is on the increase.

As an organization we will petition members of parliament by collecting 1000 signatures from members of public to support the proposed piece of legislation and we have no doubt our law markers will rise to the challenge and act for the preservation of the girl child and women.